Report: Missouri assistant turns down Oklahoma offer

Some reunions aren’t meant to be. FootballScoop is reporting that Mizzou outside linebackers coach Brian Odom, younger brother of head coach Barry Odom, has turned down an offer to join the staff at Oklahoma.

A move to Oklahoma would have reunited the younger Odom with new Sooners defensive coordinator Alex Grinch.

Odom and Grinch worked together at Washington State in the 2015 and ’16 seasons. Grinch offered high praise of Odom when the coach departed for MU in 2017.

“He was vital to our staff. When you have someone who was a head strength coach like he was, he’s basically ran his own football program. It’s a unique deal, only something that a head coach and a head strength coach know about. To run a position room, that becomes a little easier with the background he has. Having that kind of perspective, in terms of motivating and dealing with players on a day-to-day basis, it’s a feather in his cap. Brian is a big detail-oriented guy. We’ll miss him here and I know he’ll do a great job at Mizzou.”

Oklahoma hired Grinch, who previously served as co-defensive coordinator at Ohio State, earlier this month.

Odom is also declining a homecoming. His college football playing career began at OU in 2000 before he later transferred to Southeastern Oklahoma.

Sooners linebackers coach Tim Kish recently announced his retirement.

A University of Florida alumnus, Andrew joined Saturday Down South in 2015. Follow him on Twitter @ByAndrewOlson.

Comments Section (Hot Takes Welcome!)

You are right and he started coaching with Pinkel. Grinch is the son of Pinkel’s sister-in-law. He was a graduate assistant for Pinkel at Mizzou. He returned to Mizzou and coached for Pinkel later on as a safeties coach.

I read very little about Odom’s effectiveness with MU, but he’s Barry’s brother. Having two linebacking coaches to me is a bit redundant especially when there are some other areas that could use a dedicated coach, but I also don’t know Hargreaves status, or which of the two coaches is the best recruiter. Aside, Mizzou needs find a scholarship placekicker.

We have one already. I remember when Bare hired his brother all the naysayers (who seem to really gather here) were sure the nepotism would help to run Barry out of town. But this seems to add support to those of us who believe Odom is our current best shot at returning to, and remaining a top 25 to top 15 team as we are accustomed. And the Pinkel tree springs another branch.

Zoucat, I’m not against either Odom, but I have questions. Brian left OU, he works for his brother now, might want to move up, might want to diversify an Odom power base in FBS. I also think it’s redundant to have two linebacker coaches when areas like defensive end or placekicker could use a boost.

There is a HUGE difference between having the kind of thinking process that monitors the strength program for every player on the roster, vs. teaching footwork, decision making skills, position at instant of snap, hand-arm jockeying, and eye work. Grinch really sounds more like he wants a trainer more than an secondary coach. And what is the scoop on what he really spends his time doing at Missouri?